Carib Scope

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  • Distribution of 10,000 food kits in the Southern Department of Haiti

    Distribution of 10,000 food kits in the Southern Department of Haiti

    Against a persistent backdrop of widespread food insecurity plaguing vulnerable communities across Haiti, state-backed social assistance agencies launched a major food distribution mission during the 2026 Easter holiday period, rolling out 10,000 emergency food kits to households in the country’s South Department.

    Ahead of the field deployment, Jean Sadrack Jean François, director of Haiti’s Directorate for the Fight Against Poverty (DLCP), led a high-level coordination meeting at the Departmental Emergency Operations Center (COUD) based in Fonfrède. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from multiple government agencies to iron out operational logistics, ensuring the aid would reach intended recipients efficiently and without disruption. Attendees included Kesner Romilus, director general of the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES, the lead implementing body for the mission); Lincosld Charles, the South Department’s regional government delegate; Pierre-Marie Boutin, FAES’ regional coordinator; Abner Jean-Charles, regional coordinator for the Directorate General of Civil Protection (DGPC); and Yacinthe Germain, regional coordinator for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST).

    The distribution operation, which ran from April 2 to April 6, forms a core component of the national Multisectoral Emergency Program, an initiative overseen by MAST and managed by FAES that is explicitly designed to combat the severe food insecurity that has pushed thousands of Haitian households into food instability.

    Beyond the food kit rollout, the interagency delegation conducted an inspection visit to the under-development Southern Rehabilitation Center in Madame Combe. The facility is set to welcome nearly 2,000 vulnerable Haitians in the near future, and the visit allowed officials to assess infrastructure and operational needs for a new on-site community restaurant scheduled to open its doors on April 6.

    This latest regional relief effort is part of a far larger, ongoing national social assistance commitment by the Haitian government. Through FAES, the administration currently provides 48,000 prepared meals every day to internally displaced persons across the country, with the allocation broken out across three major regions: 2,000 meals for Artibonite, 9,000 for the Centre region, and 37,000 for the country’s most populous region, West. In addition to fixed-site meal programs, 36,000 additional meals are served daily via mobile canteen operations across Port-au-Prince, Delmas, and Pétion-ville, reaching low-income and food-insecure residents in dense urban areas that have been disproportionately impacted by ongoing economic and humanitarian instability.

  • «Konbit Haiti Zero Waste» : 15,200 m3 of waste collected in the metropolitan area

    «Konbit Haiti Zero Waste» : 15,200 m3 of waste collected in the metropolitan area

    Haiti’s national clean environment initiative, “Konbit Haiti Zero Waste”, has delivered strong early results in the country’s metropolitan region, with project officials announcing this week that more than 15,200 cubic meters of solid waste have been collected across five participating municipalities since the program launched. Minister of the Environment Valéry Fils-Aimé, who unveiled the program at its official launch, reported that the first phase of on-ground interventions has already mobilized more than 1,500 local workers to support waste collection efforts. All participating workers have received full compensation for 10 days of work completed over the 2026 Easter holiday period, with payments disbursed entirely via the MonCash digital payment platform as of April 2, 2026, according to the ministry.

    Data compiled by two technical bodies under the Ministry of the Environment — the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS) and the Living Environment and Sanitation Directorate (DCVA), which coordinate and oversee all sanitation work for the initiative — confirms the impressive early output of the program. Working with a fleet of 23 heavy-duty vehicles including waste trucks, compactors, and dump trucks contributed by partner institutions, organized into five rotating work teams, the initiative has covered 30 collection roads split evenly across five target municipalities: Pétion-ville, Delmas, Tabarre, Cité Soleil, and Port-au-Prince. Over 23 days of active collection work, teams have pulled in an average of 632 cubic meters of waste per day, totaling the milestone 15,200 cubic meters reported this week.

    The Ministry of the Environment has publicly praised the cross-sector collaboration that made these early gains possible, extending sincere gratitude to all institutional partners that contributed equipment, coordination, and labor to the first phase. Minister Fils-Aimé specifically highlighted the dedication of the SNGRS team led by Director Daril Balthazar, as well as the consistent on-the-ground support from leaders and staff at the five participating municipalities. The ministry also commended the Haitian public for its widespread commitment to the initiative’s goals and the positive reception the program has received since it rolled out.

    Looking ahead, the Haitian government confirmed that the program will continue expanding its reach across the country, with preparation work already underway to extend services to two additional major Haitian cities: Cap-Haïtien in the north and Ouanaminthe on the Dominican border.

    First launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Konbit Haiti Zero Waste was designed to revitalize and reenergize Haiti’s fragmented solid waste collection and management systems. Operated under the ongoing direction of SNGRS with active input and participation from local municipal authorities, the initiative carries two core overarching goals: to improve public health and quality of life for Haitian communities, and to strengthen consistent presence of state public services across the country.

    In a closing statement, the Ministry of the Environment reiterated the core philosophy guiding the program, noting: “It is important to never forget that beyond large-scale government policies, a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment can only be achieved through the consistent daily actions of every individual.”

  • Goodbye brother Chan

    Goodbye brother Chan

    For nearly two decades, Ramon (Radjkumar) Ramsodit has maintained a close, trust-based friendship and working relationship with Chan Santokhi, the prominent Surinamese political leader, tracing their connection back to their first meeting in 2006. In this personal tribute, Ramsodit shares intimate insights into Santokhi’s character, political leadership, and lifelong commitment to uniting Suriname and its diaspora community in the Netherlands.

    When they first met in 2006, Santokhi served as Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police, and Ramsodit immediately noticed his rare combination of expertise, calm demeanor, professional competence, and genuine dedication to advancing the well-being of both Suriname and its global diaspora community. Years later, when Santokhi took the helm as chairman of the Surinamese Progressive Party (VHP), he personally reached out to Ramsodit to invite him to contribute to the party’s work and to Suriname’s national development. Santokhi was fully aware that Ramsodit’s political views aligned more closely with social democratic ideals and the National Democratic Party (NDP), but this ideological gap never created a barrier. Instead, this open invitation underscored Santokhi’s inclusive approach to politics and his unique ability to unite people across ideological divides.

    In recognition of Santokhi’s decades of work connecting Suriname and the Netherlands—particularly his engagement with the diaspora community based in Rotterdam—Ramsodit and other community leaders honored Santokhi with three distinct awards: the Diaspora Certificate, the Rotterdam Four Lions Pin, and the SuRo Pin. These honors were a public reflection of the deep appreciation community members held for Santokhi’s consistent efforts to build lasting bridges between the two nations.

    For Ramsodit, what stands out most beyond Santokhi’s proven governing skills is his fundamental humanity. Even with the heavy demands of high public office, Santokhi remained consistently thoughtful and engaged. He regularly turned to Ramsodit for support drafting texts and researching complex policy questions, never failed to send a personal birthday greeting each year, and even surprised Ramsodit with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for his 50th birthday. One of Ramsodit’s most cherished memories is a late-night meeting in Lelydorp held on his birthday, where their conversation stretched into the early hours until the date shifted to May 17 in the Netherlands. With his characteristic good humor, Santokhi pointed out that the day was also Queen Máxima’s birthday and encouraged Ramsodit to send his congratulations to the queen. The chairman of the Satya Dharma Netherlands organization was also present at this gathering.

    When Ramsodit worked to nominate Santokhi for a royal honor from the Netherlands, Santokhi pushed back, noting that the award could be weaponized for political gain against him. This response revealed both his sharp understanding of political realities and his personal humility. Instead of accepting the nomination for himself, Santokhi suggested that Ramsodit put forward other VHP members based in the Netherlands—an act that reflected his genuine respect for the work of his peers.

    The pair’s relationship was built on deep personal trust and mutual respect, with both addressing each other by their first names. Their final in-person conversation took place on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the De Olifant venue. During that meeting, Santokhi thanked Ramsodit for his work supporting the state visit of the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Suriname, as well as his efforts to nominate diaspora members and Suriname-based residents for royal honors. At Santokhi’s request, part of this conversation was recorded for posterity.

    Santokhi’s trust in Ramsodit extended even to personal family matters. When Santokhi’s daughter Shanylla Santokhi graduated from Leiden University, Santokhi was unable to attend the ceremony in person. He asked Ramsodit and Ram Rambarstsingh to be present on his behalf, so he could follow the milestone moment remotely via video call.

    Looking back on nearly 20 years of collaboration and friendship, Ramsodit emphasizes that his work with Santokhi has been incredibly valuable. Even when the pair held differing views, they always maintained mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to advancing the interests of Suriname and its people. Their friendship has remained genuine and durable, standing the test of time since 2006.

    For Ramsodit, Santokhi is far more than just a skilled political leader. He remains, above all, a warm, engaged, and deeply principled human being. The tribute closes with two rallying cries: “Jai Jai Chan, Jai Jai Sarnam” from Ramon (Radjkumar) Ramsodit.

  • Police in Los Alcarrizos kill a young man they were looking for in connection with armed robberies

    Police in Los Alcarrizos kill a young man they were looking for in connection with armed robberies

    A fatal police-involved shooting in Los Alcarrizos has left a 24-year-old suspected criminal dead, according to official statements from Dominican Republic’s National Police. The deceased has been identified as Ambiorix Acevedo, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds while undergoing emergency treatment at Dr. Vinicio Calventi Hospital.

    Preliminary official accounts outline that the shooting unfolded when uniformed police patrols moved to apprehend Acevedo, who was already the subject of an active arrest warrant. Law enforcement officials state that Acevedo opened fire on the arriving patrol officers, forcing officers to return fire in self-defense.

    National Police have confirmed that Acevedo was a person of interest linked to multiple armed assault and robbery cases across several neighborhoods in Santo Domingo Oeste municipality. Following the confrontation, authorities secured a loaded firearm and a motorcycle at the incident site.

    The investigation into the encounter remains active and ongoing, with law enforcement currently conducting a manhunt for a second individual believed to be connected to Acevedo and the broader robbery network he was allegedly part of. No further details about the second suspect or the timeline for concluding the investigation have been released to the public as of the latest update.

  • Advanced Tactical Training : Graduation in Haiti of the 2nd Class

    Advanced Tactical Training : Graduation in Haiti of the 2nd Class

    On April 3, 2026, Haiti marked a key milestone in its ongoing battle against widespread gang violence with the graduation of the second cohort of specialized police officers from the country’s new anti-gang tactical training facility. The ceremony, held at the purpose-built Anti-Gang Training Center in Morne Casse, was led by Inspector General Jacques Joël Orival, Central Director of Haiti’s Administrative Police, and capped off a rigorous training program that concluded with a large-scale simulated assault exercise demonstrating trainees’ new capabilities.

    Thirty police officers drawn from across all of the Haitian National Police (PNH)’s elite specialized units completed the program. Participants represented the force’s SWAT team, the Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), the Counter-Ambush Unit (CAT), the Departmental Operations and Intervention Brigade (BOID), and the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI). Unlike previous training initiatives that often trained separate units in isolation, this advanced tactical course brought cross-unit officers together under unified, harmonized training standards, a design specifically intended to strengthen inter-unit coordination during high-stakes field operations.

    The program was delivered through a collaborative partnership between international specialized instructors and Haitian national trainers, all of whom are themselves graduates of the same advanced tactical program. Upon completing all required coursework and practical assessments, each graduate received an official certification confirming that they have acquired the upgraded tactical skills needed to confront Haiti’s evolving complex security challenges.

    Against the backdrop of persistent insecurity driven by armed gang activity across Haiti, this training initiative fills a critical operational gap. Local security conditions frequently demand joint responses from multiple specialized PNH units across different jurisdictional boundaries, and the shared training framework directly addresses the coordination gaps that have hampered past anti-gang operations. Officials frame the graduation of this second cohort as a critical step toward strengthening the PNH’s overall operational capacity to combat armed gangs, reduce community insecurity, and stabilize the country amid ongoing crisis.

  • Communities in Montecristi transform the devil fish into a productive alternative

    Communities in Montecristi transform the devil fish into a productive alternative

    SANTO DOMINGO — An invasive aquatic species that has thrown off the fragile ecological balance of Montecristi province’s Saladilla Lagoon is now at the center of an innovative pilot initiative that re-frames an environmental crisis as a pathway to long-term sustainable economic growth for local communities.

    Native to the Amazon basin, the devil fish has spread rapidly across Saladilla Lagoon in recent years, outcompeting native and commercially important species such as tilapia. Its unchecked proliferation has decimated local fish populations, disrupted the lagoon’s natural ecosystem, and undermined the livelihoods of area fishermen who rely on the waterway for income.

    Rather than focusing solely on population control for this problematic invasive species, a new collaborative project led by development non-profit People for Development (AVSI Dominican Republic) in partnership with the Dominican Ministry of Environment is aiming to integrate the devil fish into a circular local production chain. The core plan of the initiative is to process devil fish and other invasive species caught in the lagoon into nutrient-dense fishmeal.

    Per an official statement from the Ministry of Environment, local community members are carrying out the fishmeal processing work. Once production is complete, samples will undergo rigorous laboratory testing to confirm the safety and efficacy of the final product for two key uses: as an organic soil fertilizer for local farms, and as a nutritional feed supplement for domestic livestock.

    This model marks a critical shift in how invasive species are managed across many affected regions. Instead of treating invasive organisms as a costly problem that drains public resources, the project turns a species with no existing commercial value into a sellable commodity that can generate consistent local income.

    Gustavo Benigno Toribio, project manager for AVSI, explained that the pilot’s greatest potential lies in its scalability. Beyond the small group of initial participants, the project is designed to expand economic opportunity for every community that relies on Saladilla Lagoon for work and resources.

    From the project’s launch, local stakeholders have been at the center of every step of development. After a open selection process, volunteer local farmers and ranchers received specialized training to launch the pilot phase, which kicked off on March 9, 2026. Local fishermen have also been integrated into the workforce, taking on roles in harvesting and initial processing of captured devil fish.

    This deep community ownership has cleared the way for the potential development of a permanent community microenterprise, which would formalize the process of converting the invasive species into a sustained economic asset for the region. Notably, the project has prioritized the participation of organized local women in the processing stage, expanding economic inclusion and strengthening the resilience of the local production chain.

    Project progress was formally validated during a March 26, 2026 site visit by Marina Hernández, Director of Biodiversity at the Dominican Ministry of Environment, where she reviewed the initial outputs of the devil fish transformation process.

    The pilot is one component of a much larger initiative focused on improving environmental management at the Laguna Saladilla Wildlife Refuge, which receives core funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

    Alongside the production and economic work, the initiative embeds environmental education as a cross-cutting priority for long-term impact. A dedicated education program for local students and teachers has been developed, with curriculum modules covering key topics including invasive species dynamics, coastal ecosystem health, and the environmental impacts of local productive activities. These educational efforts are designed to build widespread community understanding of the challenges posed by the devil fish invasion, while empowering local people to contribute to context-appropriate, community-led solutions.

  • PRO prijst Santokhi als verdediger van rechtsstaat

    PRO prijst Santokhi als verdediger van rechtsstaat

    The sudden passing of former Surinamese President Chan Santokhi has prompted an outpouring of condolences and public recognition from the nation’s Party for Law and Development (PRO), with party leaders hailing Santokhi as a fearless champion of the rule of law and a unifying force for Suriname’s diverse society.

    PRO Chair Gerold Sewcharan confirmed that the news of Santokhi’s death came as a profound, unexpected shock to the country’s political community, noting that Santokhi had appeared in full health and remained active in public life just days before his passing. On Saturday, a full delegation of PRO’s national board traveled to the VHP (Vereenigde Hindostaanse Partij) party headquarters, known locally as De Olifant, to sign the official condolence register honoring Santokhi’s legacy.

    Across his decades-long public career, which spanned roles as a senior law enforcement official and a national elected leader, Santokhi consistently demonstrated unwavering courage and commitment to upholding Suriname’s legal order, Sewcharan emphasized. “He never shied away from standing up to defend Suriname’s rule of law, and that commitment deserves lasting recognition,” the PRO chair said. Even during his tenure as President of Suriname, Sewcharan added, Santokhi centered his policy agenda on strengthening independent legal institutions, maintaining that public safety and equal legal protection are non-negotiable foundations for sustained national development – a principle Santokhi promoted consistently throughout his time in public life.

    Beyond his advocacy for the rule of law, PRO highlights Santokhi’s unique ability to bridge divides across Suriname’s multi-ethnic society. In the lead-up to the country’s 2025 general elections, Santokhi successfully united diverse ethnic factions within the VHP, demonstrating his skill at building consensus across differing communities, the party noted.

    PRO has extended its deepest sympathy to Santokhi’s immediate family, the entire VHP political movement, and all Surinamese citizens who grieve the loss of the former president.

  • Tranquility reigns supreme on the beaches of Boca Chica, Guayacanes and Juan Dolio

    Tranquility reigns supreme on the beaches of Boca Chica, Guayacanes and Juan Dolio

    On Good Friday, three popular coastal destinations in the Dominican Republic — Guayacanes, Juan Dolio, and Boca Chica — drew crowds of sun-seeking visitors, all united by a shared desire for rest, connection, and relaxation amid the Holy Week holiday. From the earliest hours of dawn, clear golden sunlight spilled across the shoreline, turning the Caribbean waters into a shimmering gradient of blues that wrapped around swimmers wading into the gentle surf. Every beachgoer arrived prepared for a full day outdoors, armed with wide-brimmed hats, coolers packed with home-prepared food, sunglasses, and tote bags holding towels and personal belongings, all ready to soak up the warm holiday atmosphere.

    For many regular visitors, a Good Friday trip to the coast is far more than just a day off — it is a chance to reconnect with nature and step away from the crowded bustle of city life. Rut Luna, a 51-year-old evangelical pastor from the capital Santo Domingo who visits Dominican beaches regularly, spoke from her spot on Guayacanes shore, smiling as she described her experience. “The beach is life, it’s creation. Here we get to breathe in a clean, wholesome environment,” she said. “Most people head inland to small towns for the holiday, so we get to stay here and enjoy the peace.” Her sentiment was echoed by Carmen Rivas, a Venezuelan migrant who has lived in the Dominican Republic for eight years, hailing from the central Venezuelan state of Aragua. Rivas noted that beach trips during Holy Week and New Year’s are a beloved longstanding tradition, and the calm, welcoming shores of the Dominican Republic fit that perfectly.

    A half-kilometer down the coast from Guayacanes, Juan Dolio beach catered to a large crowd of multi-generational families, who gathered to sunbathe on the soft sand and catch up with one another over casual conversation. Alicia Rosario, a 44-year-old visitor who traveled to the coast from Consuelo in San Pedro de Macorís province, said she rarely leaves home for Good Friday, but changed her plans this year when her husband invited her along. She was glad she did, she said, noting that the entire beach maintained a quiet, orderly vibe throughout the day. “My hope is that everyone gets to enjoy themselves without trouble, and that we all get back home just as safe and happy as we arrived,” she added. Along the town streets leading to the shore, a steady stream of groups made their way to the water, arriving with family members, friends, and neighbors to share the holiday.

    Further along the coast, Boca Chica recorded a noticeable uptick in visitor numbers compared to typical non-holiday weekends. Some visitors waded and swam in the warm waters, while others opted to gather at open-air picnic tables set up right on the sand near the shoreline, where they enjoyed fresh seafood and homemade pasta. One of those diners was 65-year-old Rafaela, who came with her entire family to step away from the demands of the auto mechanic shop she co-owns with her husband. Good Friday is the only day of the year the shop closes for a full break, she explained, and even when the shop called her husband while they were staying at a nearby hotel that morning, she pushed him to ignore the work and focus on the day off. “I told him to leave all that stress behind,” she said with a laugh.

    Sitting nearby was another Venezuelan visitor, Susana Lavieri, who joked that she and her family must have been fish in a past life, given how much they love being on the beach. Lavieri added that large beach gatherings during Holy Week are a long-held tradition from Venezuela, and the group was pleasantly surprised to find the shore relatively quiet this year, making their day even more enjoyable. “We’re all true beach people at heart,” she said, grinning.

    To ensure visitor safety across all three coastal destinations, local authorities had deployed full operational teams of emergency responders and law enforcement well ahead of the Good Friday crowds. Reporters from local outlet Listín Diario observed personnel from the Dominican Civil Defense, the national Tourist Police (Politur), and specialized rescue teams on patrol across all three beaches. Politur operates its central command and control center for tourist incidents across the entire country at Boca Chica beach, allowing for rapid response to any issues that arise during the busy holiday period. Juan Jesús Cabrera, director of Civil Defense for the Juan Dolio area, noted that his team had been on duty assisting and supporting visitors since Holy Thursday morning, and that this year’s holiday operation included more trained staff, better equipment, and expanded resources than in previous years to handle any emergency.

  • Minister Huur verkent internationale samenwerking voor landbouw en local content

    Minister Huur verkent internationale samenwerking voor landbouw en local content

    On April 4, a high-level diplomatic meeting focused on advancing cross-regional sustainable development and local capacity building took place, bringing together Suriname’s Minister of Regional Development Miquella Huur and an international delegation consisting of representatives from Oando Trading Nigeria, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and an independent international development consultant.

    At the core of the day’s discussions was a shared goal to unlock inclusive economic opportunities for grassroots communities across Suriname. A key priority that anchored the talks was strengthening local content frameworks, which aim to expand the participation of domestic Surinamese entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers in upcoming regional and international development projects. Both sides emphasized that embedding local stakeholders into supply chains and development initiatives is critical to ensuring long-term, community-centered growth rather than extractive, externally led development.

    The conversation delved into concrete collaboration opportunities specifically within Suriname’s agricultural sector, which forms a backbone of the country’s domestic economy and rural livelihoods. Participants explored prospects for developing highland rice cultivation, as well as expanding production and market access for cassava and breadfruit, two staple crops with significant untapped export potential. Attendees also highlighted the urgent need to improve smallholder access to modern agricultural inputs, from improved seed varieties to sustainable farming technologies, and to scale up national production capacity to meet both domestic demand and international trade standards.

    Members of the African delegation underscored the rapidly growing strategic importance of deepening trade and investment ties between African and Caribbean nations. They noted that the Africa-Caribbean partnership is built on mutual benefit, centered on reciprocal cross-border investment and two-way knowledge sharing that allows both regions to leverage their respective comparative advantages in agriculture, natural resources, and sustainable development.

    Following the conclusion of the talks, Minister Huur expressed optimism that the discussions would lay a solid foundation for long-term, mutually beneficial sustainable collaboration between all parties. Both sides also formalized a shared intention to conduct an on-the-ground visit to Suriname’s inland regions in the near future. This upcoming visit will allow the delegation to assess local development opportunities firsthand, gather on-site data, and tailor future cooperation projects to the specific needs of inland communities.

  • Ariza: Notice of Annual General Meeting 2026

    Ariza: Notice of Annual General Meeting 2026

    ARIZA Credit Union has officially opened registration for its upcoming 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), offering members two convenient methods to confirm their attendance. Interested participants can secure their spot by visiting the dedicated registration link at tinyurl.com/arizaagm2026 or by scanning the QR code included in the original announcement to complete the RSVP process.

    A standard legal disclaimer accompanying the announcement clarifies that NOW Grenada, the platform hosting the notice, holds no liability for the opinions, statements, or third-party contributed media content shared in connection with the event. The platform also provides a reporting pathway for users to flag any content that violates community guidelines or constitutes abuse, ensuring a safe and transparent communication environment for all attendees and stakeholders.

    As a key annual governance event for ARIZA Credit Union, the AGM serves as a critical opportunity for members to review the institution’s past financial performance, discuss strategic priorities for the coming term, vote on leadership positions, and raise questions about operational developments. Open RSVP registration early in the planning process allows the organization to make adequate logistical arrangements to accommodate all participating members.